Thousands of New Yorkers To March On Tax Day to Demand Trump Release His Taxes

Rally and Speeches to Begin at Bryant Park at 1PM, Followed by March to Trump Tower

NEW YORK, NY (04/14/2017) (readMedia)-- On Saturday at 1PM, tens of thousands of New Yorkers will gather at Bryant Park and march to Trump Tower to demand that Trump release his taxes. The New York City Tax March is one of nearly 200 marches planned for April 15th, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to participate in total, making the largest demonstration against political corruption in recent memory.

Senior Trump officials are under investigation for colluding with Russia to influence the results of the election. But without Trump's taxes, we still don't know the extent of his business entanglements with foreign powers; and we cannot know who he's truly working for.

Trump administration officials argue that only the media cares about his taxes. Saturday's demonstration will prove him wrong -- that the people want to see his taxes too. The march will also feature giant inflatable chickens, symbolizing the fact that Trump is too chicken to release his taxes.

Trump's proposals would cut billions in taxes on the rich, including himself, while steeply cutting services for ordinary Americans from healthcare to education to environmental protection. His proposals would hit New York City particularly hard, including his plans to defund sanctuary cities, and deeply cut to Medicaid and public housing. At the same time, security at Trump Tower is expected to cost New York City $50 million per year.

The demand for Trump's taxes in New York City has also been particularly strong. This week, New York City Councilman Corey Johnson announced a legislative proposal to certain contractors who receive public benefits from the city, like Donald Trump, to release their taxes. State Senator Brad Hoylman announced a proposal to require candidates running for President to release their taxes in order to be listed on the New York State ballot.

NYC Tax March Coordinator Wes Shockley said, "Donald Trump owes it to all Americans to provide us with a transparent and corruption-free government and on this democratic priority he is failing. He needs to release his taxes."

"Donald Trump is the first elected president since before Richard Nixon who has refused to release his tax returns," said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY. "Since he undeniably has financial interests around the world, Americans deserve to know if the president is acting on behalf of the public interest, or his business empire. The current state of affairs isn't just antithetical to open government, but poses a major threat to national security."

The New York City tax march is endorsed by Working Families Party, Strong Economy for All Coalition, NY Communities for Change, Resist Here, Vocal NY, Common Cause/NY, and Women's March on NYC.

Frank Lesser, Comedy writer, author of the viral tweet about a “mass protest on Tax Day”

Jordan Carlos, Comedian

Jena Friedman, Comedian and Actor

Elzora Cleveland, member of New York Communities for Change

Susan Lerner, Common Cause New York

WHAT:

New York City’s Tax March. A rally with speaking program followed by a march of thousands of New Yorkers demanding Trump release his taxes.

WHEN:

Saturday April 15, 2017 at 01:00PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)

WHERE:

Bryant Park41st St and 6th Ave10036New York, New York

NOTES:

The speakers will address the rally from 41st and 6th Ave in Bryant Park. The march route begins at Bryant Park and heads north on 6th Avenue to 54th Street, turns east on 54th Street toward Trump Tower, north onto 5th Avenue, and finally, west onto 55th Street.

NOTE FOR MEDIA: If you are intending to bring a camera, please confirm your spot on the press riser with Joe Dinkin at jdinkin@workingfamilies.org. The press riser will be constructed by 11:30. A mult box will be available on the press riser to connect to the speaking program audio feed.

The rally begins at 1 PM. Speeches are scheduled to start at 1:25 PM. The march will begin at 2:30 PM. (Press setup begins at 11 AM)